GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: murraymint on 11 July 2012, 20:36

Title: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: murraymint on 11 July 2012, 20:36
Hiya, random question but. I've been doing some searching into what's needed to convert the rear of a gti from 5 stud to 4 stud. And I found that all I would need to change is the discs to mk2 discs?

Is this right or do I need anything else?

And the reason I wanna do this is I wanna keep my wheels if I get a gti, first plan was to put the abf in my 1.6 but converting the gti to 4 seems a lot less work
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: JC on 11 July 2012, 20:41
if only it was that simple  :grin:
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: murraymint on 11 July 2012, 20:44
if only it was that simple  :grin:


That's what I was thinking when I read it lol  :grin:

Mk2 stub axels, discs....?

I got the fronts sorted
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: murraymint on 11 July 2012, 20:45
This is what the search returned. Hence question

This is what confuses me, isn't a mk3 gti 5 stud?
Or are the early ones 4 stud later ones 5 stud?

All Mk3 GTI are 5 stud.

The wheel screws into the disk, so in effect the disc is the hub.

A Mk2 disk is direct swap but 4 stud.
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: twotwofour on 11 July 2012, 20:48
It screws in to the stub axle which the disk mounts to
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: murraymint on 11 July 2012, 20:50
So all I need is 4 stud stub axels and 4 stud discs?
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: tweed on 11 July 2012, 21:16
I thought the gti rear beam was more narrow than the rest?
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: tweed on 11 July 2012, 21:19
not that it will affect you but if you set your et to the 1.6 the wheels might sit in a little more on the gti.
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: murraymint on 11 July 2012, 21:21
Yh think the will sit closer to the arch on the gti. But I wanted to get 10mm spacers for the 1.6 so will be fine lol, I also have an arch roller if needed.

You know what I ned tweed? I did search  :grin:
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: Wayne on 11 July 2012, 21:25
Not something I would consider, the main issue / view that came up in the last thread was would it be safe, GTI's are built with 5 studs for a reason plus how would an insurance company view the switch.

With the work involved it makes more sense to buy wheels that fit.
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: gizmomk3 on 11 July 2012, 21:27
i would swop with you but i have just got some new 4 stud wheels lol :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: boneybradley on 11 July 2012, 21:27
finding some 4 stud brake discs that will work is the issue (especially on 288mm type)
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: murraymint on 11 July 2012, 21:32
for rears you can use the complete MK3 GTI setup, just fit 4 stud discs ;)

Here's Rubjonny saying the same, and he's knows what he's talking about .


Not something I would consider, the main issue / view that came up in the last thread was would it be safe, GTI's are built with 5 studs for a reason plus how would an insurance company view the switch.

With the work involved it makes more sense to buy wheels that fit.

Yh but if I fitted an abf in my 1.6 I would be running 4 stud. LL is running 4 stud in his mk3 1.8t, im pritty sure it'll be safe.

As for the work involved, been searching and by the looks of things it only swapping the discs on the back and for the front I already have the 4 stud front hubs (with abs rings) and most of the stuff to run 280mm up front. And my wheels and tyres cost me £700 so don't fancy shelling that out again for 5 stud wheels.
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: Wayne on 11 July 2012, 21:35
Whole different subject, if your converting to an ABF you do not need to switch to 5 stud.

Switch to discs on the back and uprate the fronts.

:smiley:
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: tweed on 11 July 2012, 21:37
look at it like this.

seat Ibiza cupra 2.0 16v abf is 4 stud.

Early vr6 corrado is 4 stud.

escort cosworth is 4 stud

the load on the wheel bolts from 1.6 to a 2.0 is not going to be that much more.

if it was me I wouldn't think once about all 4 bolts snapping and a wheel coming off.

heck, go treat it to some titanium wheel bolts if you worry about it

from what I've read it is just a disc change  :wink:
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: murraymint on 11 July 2012, 21:38
Whole different subject, if your converting to an ABF you do not need to switch to 5 stud.

Switch to discs on the back and uprate the fronts.

:smiley:

So this is safe. But a 4 stud gti isn't  :undecided:
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: murraymint on 11 July 2012, 21:39
look at it like this.

seat Ibiza cupra 2.0 16v abf is 4 stud.

Early vr6 corrado is 4 stud.

escort cosworth is 4 stud

the load on the wheel bolts from 1.6 to a 2.0 is not going to be that much more.

if it was me I wouldn't think once about all 4 bolts snapping and a wheel coming off.

heck, go treat it to some titanium wheel bolts if you worry about it

from what I've read it is just a disc change  :wink:

 :cool:
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: Wayne on 11 July 2012, 21:46
So this is safe. But a 4 stud gti isn't  :undecided:

The main point is yours was built with 4 studs now if you switched to 5 your making it better / stronger however to switch a GTI is downgrading it, whilst that will not matter to some people an insurance company will take a dim view of it.
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: ruffryder on 11 July 2012, 21:53
What about checking if you wheels can be redrilled try a good alloy fabricator
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: 67buggers on 11 July 2012, 22:50
So this is safe. But a 4 stud gti isn't  :undecided:

The main point is yours was built with 4 studs now if you switched to 5 your making it better / stronger however to switch a GTI is downgrading it, whilst that will not matter to some people an insurance company will take a dim view of it.

But surely if that's the case anything which strays away from standard is a downgrade? I don't see why going 4 stud instead of 5 stud is an issue TBH
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: Wayne on 11 July 2012, 23:45
I don't see why going 4 stud instead of 5 stud is an issue TBH

Well the point you missed is that VW fitted 5 studs for a reason plus they are bigger (m14) against (m12) so you could be seen to be making the car unsafe.

Switching to 5 stud would be classed as an upgrade as it is better than standard.

Have a read of the last thread on the subject: http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=234812.0
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: twotwofour on 12 July 2012, 18:45
I'd price up getting your wheels welded and redrilled.

Might be cheaper than the insurance premium and sourcing parts
Title: Re: Gti converting 5 stud to 4 stud
Post by: tweed on 12 July 2012, 18:49
£50 a wheel